Checking the NOAA SWPC layer.
Aurora forecast
Aurora Map and Guide
NOAA SWPC aurora forecast data, translated into a simple glow map.
Use this page to look at the Aurora layer by itself. The soft purple glows come from NOAA SWPC OVATION grid points above the display threshold, with notes below to help you read them as model context.
NOAA SWPC layer
Aurora forecast on the map
This page keeps the Aurora forecast layer selected so the map, cards, and guide stay focused on what the NOAA model is showing.
Read this as NOAA model context for curiosity and source-reading. For alerts, viewing plans, or safety decisions, use official sources and real local conditions.
Forecast map
Modelled aurora glows
NOAA SWPC glows mark modelled aurora forecast grid points near polar regions. What people actually see depends on many local sky conditions.
Soft glows mark NOAA grid points above the display threshold. Stronger values are listed in the cards below.
Checking forecast grid points shown on the map.
A NOAA grid value when data loads.
NOAA SWPC OVATION model grid.
Forecast cards
Aurora forecast summaries
A quick read of the strongest NOAA values shown here, with source context kept separate from personal viewing choices.
Aurora basics
What is an aurora?
Auroras are lights seen near polar regions when activity from the Sun meets Earth's magnetic environment. They tend to gather around high-latitude regions instead of spreading evenly across the whole world.
NOAA SWPC source
What the layer shows
The LifeHubber Earth aurora layer uses NOAA SWPC public forecast grid data. It lists modelled aurora intensity near polar regions, with purple glows marking grid points that passed the display threshold.
The glow is best read as a model area, not a precise pin. It gives a simple sense of where the source data is placing stronger aurora activity in the near-term forecast window.
Map meaning
Why soft glows instead of pins?
Earthquakes are point reports, so dots make sense. Aurora forecasts come from grid/model data, so a soft glow is a better fit than a sharp pin.
Layer comparison
Different layers mean different things
Different source layers answer different questions, so LifeHubber Earth keeps their meanings separate.
Earthquake dot
Source-reported event point
A recent USGS earthquake report with source-provided latitude, longitude, magnitude, depth, and report time.
HantaData dot
Public signal record
A HantaData public signal record, with approximate country-level placement where source details do not support a more exact map point.
Natural event dot
NASA EONET source record
A recent NASA EONET source record shown separately from earthquake reports and public-health-adjacent signals.
Aurora glow
NOAA modelled grid intensity
A purple glow layer based on NOAA SWPC OVATION forecast grid values near polar regions.
Reading guide
How to read the purple glows
Location
Glows are placed from NOAA grid latitude and longitude values, so they come from source grid points rather than decoration.
Intensity
Glows mark NOAA grid points above the display threshold. Stronger values are listed in the cards, while local viewing still depends on the real sky.
Time window
The layer reflects a near-term model forecast window from NOAA SWPC source data.
Sky conditions
Clouds, daylight, local conditions, and viewing position all matter. Treat the map as source context, not a viewing plan.
Source context
What to keep in mind
The aurora layer is useful when you want to see where NOAA's model is placing stronger glow areas. For visibility, viewing locations, travel choices, safety decisions, or precise local forecasts, use official sources and real local conditions.
LifeHubber Earth
How this fits the site
LifeHubber Earth combines public Earth signals and simple guides. Earthquakes remain the main full tracker; Aurora adds one approved NOAA SWPC forecast layer beside it.
The site keeps these layers separate because they are different kinds of public data. An earthquake report, a HantaData public signal, a NASA EONET source record, and an aurora forecast glow each need their own source context.
Earth signals
Compare with other Earth layers
Open the main Earth dashboard when you want to compare Aurora with earthquakes and the other approved public-data layers.